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Jim Starkey the great-grandson of former Australian Prime Minister and United Australia Party founder Joseph Lyons, will run as the UAP’s candidate in the division of Clark, the party’s Tasmanian Senate leader Kevin Morgan announced today.

Mr Morgan said it was a great honour to have Mr Starkey endorsed by the party executive for Clark for the May 18 Federal Election.

“Joe Lyons founded and led the United Australia Party during the difficult periods of the depression and aftermath of the Great War. He was a true leader who was extremely popular with the public and served this great country with distinction,’’ Mr Morgan said.

“He always put Australia first.

“The people of Clark are very fortunate the rich heritage and fine leadership of the Lyons family lives on with Jim standing as their United Australia Party candidate for the coming Federal Election,’’ he said.

Joe Lyons (15 September 1879 – 7 April 1939) was the tenth Prime Minister of Australia, serving from January 1932 until his death. He had earlier served as Premier of Tasmania from 1923 to 1928, and was the first, and to date only, Prime Minister from Tasmania.

Lyons was born in Stanley Tasmania, and was a schoolteacher and trade unionist before entering politics, originally with the Labor Party.

In 1931 he and other Labor defectors formed the United Australia Party, with Lyons becoming Leader of the Opposition.

Nicknamed Honest Joe, the masterful political campaigner led the United Australia Party to a landslide victory at the 1931 election, and subsequent wins in 1934 and 1937.

Lyons died of a heart attack in April 1939 becoming the first Prime Minister to die in office. His widow, Enid Lyons, became the first women elected to the House of Representatives.

“I am very proud of the legacy of my great-grandfather and it is a great honour to be representing the party he originally led as the United Australia Party’s candidate for Clark,” Mr Starkey said.

ENDS

Domestic violence advocate Cindy Duncan has been appointed the United Australia Party’s Shadow Minister for the Status of Women, Federal Leader Clive Palmer announced today.

The United Australia Party’s candidate for the New England electorate, Ms Duncan benefited first hand from the former Palmer United Party’s efforts in ensuring the government’s planned $25.5 million cuts to domestic violence funding did not go ahead.

Ms Duncan has broad life experience having spent time in the Army, and as a business owner, legal secretary, counsellor and journalist.

Having endured a challenging 29-year marriage, she says she is very grateful for Mr Palmer’s stance on women’s rights.

“Australia is at a political and social precipice,’’ Ms Duncan said.

“As Australians, it’s time we recognized just how much our political leaders have neglected us and our nation’s resources.

“The United Australia Party has sound policies that I believe can correct the mistakes made by past governments to help all Australians, not the select few,’’ she said.

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Former Adelaide United A-League star Kristian Rees has been appointed the United Australia Party’s Shadow Minister for Community Services, Federal Leader Clive Palmer announced today.

Mr Rees, 39, is also the United Australia Party’s lead candidate for the Senate for South Australia in the 2019 Federal Election.

Off the pitch, politics has been a significant part of the central defender’s life. He ran in the 2013 Federal Election as the Palmer United Party’s candidate for Grey and was the party’s lead Senate candidate for South Australia in 2016.

Mr Rees also ran in the 2015 Queensland election in the seat of Currumbin.

He has had an outstanding football career playing for Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix, Gold Coast United and more.

Clive Palmer said Mr Rees’ strong work ethic, spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to community was a winning combination for the United Australia Party.

The established parties talk about helping the country but all they’ve ever done is stifle political alternatives,” Mr Palmer said.

“Unlike them, the United Australia Party is not comprised of career politicians. We are a party made up of genuine Australians who want to serve the country, to change the course of history and steer in a bright new era for Australia,’’ he said.

“We can’t trust our current politicians. Stand up – defend our country. Put Australia first.

“The best way to protect Australia’s future is to Vote 1, the United Australia Party,’’ Mr Palmer said.

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Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, has announced the appointment of medical worker and former elected councillor Suellen Wrightson as Shadow Minister for Families.

Ms Wrightson has a strong political background having campaigned as a Federal Senate candidate for the Palmer United Party in 2013 and serving as an elected member of the Cessnock City Council from 2012-2015 where she was a member of the Joint Regional Planning Panel for the Hunter region.

She is the United Australia Party’s candidate for Warringah, where she takes on former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and independent Zali Steggall.

Ms Wrightson is committed to helping everyday Australians and improving the lives of people in the community.

Most recently Ms Wrightson has worked it the medical field as a chronic disease management co-ordinator working closely with diabetic and asthmatic patients in addition to performing medical practice accreditation.

“I want to usher in a new era of politics, one that puts families first,” she said.

“The current crop of politicians need to be reminded they serve the people who elect them, where all decisions are made putting people and country first well ahead of party room ploys.”

Ms Wrightson said Labor and Liberal needed to remember they were elected to the House of Representatives to represent the people and listen to their needs.

“I will ensure we have a productive government that will provide prosperity for Australia. The United Australia Party will bring cohesion, collaboration and the desire to work together toward a common goal of protecting and growing Australia into a prosperous bountiful nation that is envied by the world and enjoyed by all the Aussies who call it home,’’ she said.

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The United Australia Party’s federal candidate for Leichhardt, Jen Sackley, has been appointed Shadow Immigration Minister, Clive Palmer announced today.

With a degree majoring in social sciences and a masters in social work, along with experience in running both state and federal political campaigns, Ms Sackley is well suited for the immigration portfolio.

Her extensive employment history includes work in domestic violence case management, indigenous welfare and child safety through her role at the Department of Communities.

A passionate member of her community and a Justice of the Peace, Ms Sackley has been both an organiser and participant in regional women’s business associations and actively takes part in many community or charity fundraising events.

Clive Palmer said hardworking Australians were looking for an effective alternative and that alternative was the United Australia Party.

“We will provide the strong leadership, the vision, the policies and the plan to make Australia great again,’’ he said.

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Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, has announced the appointment of the party’s WA Senate candidate leader and National Director James McDonald as Shadow Education Minister.

Mr McDonald has extensive international business experience and has been involved in many high profile mergers and acquisitions.

He worked with major global brands such as Facebook, General Motors, Agricultural Bank of China and Petrobras co-ordinating their marketing, communications and logistics being directly involved in raising over US$150bn.

“Investing in education is one of the most important things we can do for Australia,’’ Mr McDonald said.

“This is a critical time in our history. Already, a huge number of people have withdrawn support and lost confidence in the Liberal and Labor duopoly that is dragging the country down.

“That number is growing rapidly because the Liberals and Labor continually show how out of touch they are with the people they were elected to represent.”

“Hardworking Australians are looking for an effective alternative and that alternative is the United Australia Party.

“We will provide the strong leadership, the vision, the policies and the plan to make Australia great again,’’ he said.

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The United Australia Party’s Senate Leader, Brian Burston, has been appointed Shadow Minister for Defence, Federal Leader, Clive Palmer announced today.

“An experienced Senator committed to the safety and security of all Australians, Brian Burston is the perfect choice for Shadow Defence Minister,” Mr Palmer said.

A passionate Australian who cares deeply for Australian traditions, Senator Burston was elected to Federal Parliament in 2016.

A former boilermaker, draftsman and teacher, he served on the Cessnock City Council from 1987-99 where he became Deputy Mayor in 1997.

“For the first time Australia has real choice instead of the duopoly that Liberal and Labor have created by voting together to keep other alternatives out of the Federal parliament,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“The established parties talk about helping the country but all they’ve ever done is stifle political alternatives,” Mr Palmer said.

“Unlike them, the United Australia Party is not comprised of career politicians. We are a party made up of genuine Australians who want to serve the country, to change the course of history and steer in a bright new era for Australia,’’ he said.

“We can’t trust our current politicians. Stand up – defend our country. Put Australia first.

“The best way to protect Australia’s future is to Vote 1, the United Australia Party,’’ Mr Palmer said.

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Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, has announced the appointment of business owner Russel Sewell as Shadow Treasurer.

Raised in Perth and with qualifications in software automation, Mr Sewell has worked internationally in Hong Kong and China.

He is an active participant in community and local issues, including illegal dumping, environmental management and urban planning.

When just 26 years of age, Mr Sewell was assigned to establish an overseas office and undertake business in the People’s Republic of China, signing a multi-million dollar contract the following year.

He is a strong believer in equality and fairness across genders and races as well as an equitable taxation system that will treat all Australians fairly.

“I want to see a better and more reliable banking system that will benefit customers and not just bank executives and shareholders,’’ Mr Sewell said.

“There should be greater emphasis on industry and investigation of processing our mineral and raw material wealth for the great benefit of all Australians,’’ he said.

Mr Sewell is a United Australia Party Senate candidate in WA.

Clive Palmer said hardworking Australians were looking for an effective alternative and that alternative was the United Australia Party.

“We will provide the strong leadership, the vision, the policies and the plan to make Australia great again,’’ he said.

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Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, has announced the appointment of long-term government executive and mental health advocate Patrick Hardwick as the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing.

Mr Hardwick has worked as a senior commonwealth public servant for over 30 years in the area of social welfare, employment, infrastructure, veteran affairs, health and immigration.

For nine years he was a mental health carer for his wife and has been one of Australia’s leading mental health carer advocates for the past 18 years.

He has a long history of managing the ministerial and parliamentary section of the Department of Home Affairs in WA.

Mr Hardwick is a Senate candidate in WA for the United Australia Party.

“For the first time Australia has real choice instead of the duopoly that Liberal and Labor have created by voting together to keep other alternatives out of the Federal parliament,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“The established parties talk about helping the country but all they’ve ever done is stifle political alternatives,” Mr Palmer said.

“Unlike them, the United Australia Party is not comprised of career politicians. We are a party made up of genuine Australians who want to serve the country, to change the course of history and steer in a bright new era for Australia,’’ he said.

ENDS

Domestic violence advocate Cindy Duncan has been appointed the United Australia Party’s Shadow Minister for the Status of Women, Federal Leader Clive Palmer announced today.

The United Australia Party’s candidate for the New England electorate, Ms Duncan benefited first hand from the former Palmer United Party’s efforts in ensuring the government’s planned $25.5 million cuts to domestic violence funding did not go ahead.

Ms Duncan has broad life experience having spent time in the Army, and as a business owner, legal secretary and journalist.

Having endured a challenging 29-year marriage, she says she is very grateful for Mr Palmer’s stance on women’s rights.

“Australia is at a political and social precipice,’’ Ms Duncan said.

“As Australians, it’s time we recognized just how much our political leaders have neglected us and our nation’s resources.

“The United Australia Party has sound policies that I believe can correct the mistakes made by past governments to help all Australians, not the select few,’’ she said.

ENDS